Politics
Wike Harps On Tax Payment
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Conven
tion and the Nigerian Bar Association Conference in Port Harcourt took the front burner last week in Government House.
Nevertheless, it was the thanksgiving service for Universal Basic Education Chairman Ven Fyneface Akah in the state held at St Mark’s Anglican Church Elelenwo that opened the week. He pledged to turn around basic education in the state.
Last Monday, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt validated the PDP convention slated for Wednesday last week. The court presided over by Justice Ibrahim Watila ordered the police, the State Security Service to provide security for the National Convention of the party.
On the same day, the Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo felicitated with the former Governor Peter Odili on his 68th birthday celebrations. Last Tuesday, Governor Nyesom Wike played host to the Nigeria Hotels Association, Rivers State Chapter. He urged the group to support government fight crime. This can be done by providing necessary information about questionable characters lodging in their hotels. The governor also urged the hoteliers to pay their taxes so that the state government can continue with its developmental projects.
On the same day, another Federal High Court gave legal backing to the caretaker committee of the National Executive Council of the PDP. The court ruled that only the committee has executive powers to organise the convention. Shortly after the court gave legal impetus to the convention, Governor Wike and other members of the organising committee of the PDP convention addressed newsmen in Government House; they declared the readiness of the party for Wednesday’s event.
Last Wednesday, the police and other security agencies through a federal government order barricaded and shut down the venue of the PDP National Convention at the Sharks Stadium. Butwith the mature reaction and organisation of the party’s BOT, which had paid a courtesy call to Governor Wike a night before, the partys moved the convention to its state secretariat complex at Aba Road, Port Harcourt.
The convention delegates who converged on the state party secretariat unanimously agreed to extend the tenure of the Senator Makarfil led CTC and expand CTC members from 7 to 13.
Shortly after the convention, the deputy governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo hosted members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and tasked them on the fight to check adulterated drugs in the country.
Governor Wike briefed the press on the outcome of the convention later on Wednesday and described it a success, despite attempts by Federal Government to scuttle the party’s growth. He assured that PDP will remain united and formidable.
Last Thursday, the governor resumed official state duties and visited ongoing project sites. On visiting the ongoing school renovation at Rumuokuta Girls Secondary School, he frowned at the pace of work. The governor warned that he would revoke the job if the contractor did not speed-up work and summoned the Commissioner for Education.
Last Friday, Governor Wike inaugurated, the State Peace and Security Committee, comprising of state security chiefs and other stakeholders. He harped or the need to return lasting peace to the state.
Saturday last week was filled with activities. First the governor in company of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Austin Allegeh commissioned the newly reconstructed, Dr Peter Odili Road. On returning from the event, he played host to the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami who was accompanied by his counterpart from Rwanda, Hon. Bussingye Johnston in Government House.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the list of candidates for the 2027 governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections from Saturday, August 8, to Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
The commission announced the extension in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna.
According to INEC, the decision followed appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the submission process through the dedicated online portal.
“The submission window, which according to the revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election was originally scheduled to close on Saturday, 8th August, 2026, has been extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026,” the commission said.
In a a related development, INEC announced the suspension of PVC collection in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The commission said voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced Permanent Voter Cards would have until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to print downloadable copies of their cards.
The electoral body explained that the deadline was necessary to enable it compile data on downloaded PVCs and produce final statistics on the total number of cards collected ahead of the election.
INEC said PVC collection in Osun commenced at the Registration Area level from July 22 to 28, 2026, but was extended to July 31 following complaints about large crowds and difficulties experienced by voters at collection centres.
The exercise subsequently moved to the local government level and ran from August 1 to 7.
The commission also disclosed that replacement downloadable PVCs had been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas following the theft of cards during attacks on the two collection centres.
It stressed that the stolen cards could not be used to vote.
INEC reassured Osun residents of its preparedness for the August 15 governorship election.
“The commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
“INEC reassures the people of Osun State of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election on 15th August, 2026,” the statement said.
The commission said the deadline, initially set for Saturday, 8 August, has been extended to Tuesday, 11 August 2026, following appeals from political parties for more time.
INEC also announced that the window for voters who applied to replace lost, damaged or defaced PVCs to download their replacement cards will close at midnight on Sunday, 9 August.
The move is to enable the commission compile final PVC collection figures ahead of the 15 August Osun governorship election.
INEC said replacement downloadable PVCs have also been provided to affected voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas after hoodlums carted away cards from two collection centres, stressing that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
The commission reaffirmed its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive election in Osun State.
Gov. Kefas made the remarks over the weekend at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, during the flag-off of the second phase of the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach in Taraba State, organised as part of activities marking Prof. Yilwatda’s 58th birthday.
The governor commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing to mark his birthday by providing medical care to people in need.
“What Professor Nentawe did is a powerful demonstration of what leadership should be,” Gov. Kefas said.
He assured that his administration would continue to support initiatives that complement government efforts to improve healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of residents.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Yilwatda called on Nigerian leaders to embrace the culture of giving and use their positions to touch the lives of the less privileged.
He said his decision to celebrate his 58th birthday in Taraba State was deliberate and informed by the needs of underserved communities, particularly people who face difficulties accessing healthcare because of distance and financial constraints.
According to him, the intervention followed a needs assessment and was extended across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He said the exercise commenced on August 3 at Takum General Hospital and covered the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari; First Referral Hospital, Sunkani, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area; General Hospital, Bali; General Hospital, Gembu; and FMC Jalingo.
Prof. Yilwatda said the intervention provided medical services to thousands of beneficiaries, including people who required surgical procedures.
He said sustainable national development could only be achieved when strong institutions placed Nigerians at the centre of development.
“Leadership is about service,” he said, urging political and public leaders to make giving back to society an important part of their responsibilities.
He reaffirmed his commitment to serving Nigeria and its people, saying his personal vision was to make every day of his life useful to humanity.
“Every day that I live, the vision is: let it be useful to humanity,” he said.
The Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Buma, commended the initiative, saying it was consistent with the Renewed Hope agenda and efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
Dr Buma said the second phase followed the successful completion of the first phase, which was conducted simultaneously in six local government areas, with two LGAs selected from each of the three senatorial districts.
According to him, more than 10,000 patients were attended to during the first phase, including people with medical and surgical conditions.
He disclosed that 327 general surgeries, 71 eye surgeries and 575 dental procedures were carried out during the exercise.
The commissioner expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach and thanked Prof. Yilwatda for supporting the initiative and choosing Taraba State as a beneficiary.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, also commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing Taraba State to mark his 58th birthday through a medical outreach.
Prof. Pate said making healthcare the centrepiece of the birthday celebration was significant because health affects everyone.
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